June 9, 2022 (Thursday)
Today I resume my resumé. Talking about the jobs I’ve had through the years.
Other than my first job at eleven years of age, which lasted only a few days (see previous blog), I started working for pay when I was thirteen years old, mainly in grocery stores, except for the job of cleaning the neighborhood theater near our house. What a job that was, sweeping up the trash from the previous evening’s audience — ooey gooey! Not all bad, though: there were nearly always some coins on the floor.
The next job came when I was fourteen and became an usher at the palatial Majestic Theatre at Rusk and Travis, in downtown Houston. There was a crew of about 18 ushers, organized sort of military style. There was a comparable group of usherettes, girls with similar jobs. We all wore uniforms. Each day after school, I rode the bus to work and was on the job from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., after which I rode the bus home.I was paid 35 cents per hour on that job. Since we worked about 35 hours per week, I made about ten dollars a week, after taxes. Not bad for a fourteen-year old in 1946.
Oh, and I made all “A’s” at school that year. That report card is still among my mementos, because it’s the only straight-A card I ever brought home. (Such a card was normal for Wanda and the children but not for me). One may ask why it came during a year when almost every moment of my time outside of school was spent working; even inside the school I worked in the Assistant Principal’s office. I really don’t know why I did so well that year, unless it was because my parents had both remarried and settled down, and we three kids finally knew who was who and what was what as far as our home was concerned. At last we could have a sense of belonging somewhere. Maybe there’s nothing to that theory. Anyway, I was always busy, and staying out of trouble. In many ways, in my personal life, it was a good year, and my grades reflected that.
PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND
Lyrics & Music by Thomas A. Dorsey
1938
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home